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Ron earns win for unhappy Mourinho

Cristiano Ronaldo beats boo-boys with free kick against Real Sociedad as coach hits out at Madrid over Portugal job.

Sun Sep 19 2010 06:35:02 GMT+0000

Angel in disguise: Angel Di Maria scored the opener for Real but it was left to Ronaldo to secure the win [GALLO/GETTY]

Cristiano Ronaldo scored with a deflected free kick to earn Real Madrid a battling 2-1 victory at promoted Real Sociedad in the Spanish Primera Liga as coach Jose Mourinho vented his frustration at being unable to take charge of Portugal.

The Portuguese football federation have tried to get Mourinho to guide the team through their next two Euro 2012 qualifiers against Denmark and Iceland after drawing and losing their first two matches.

Mourinho said before the weekend that he believed such a move would cause problems at his club, but he went further with comments on Portuguese television after Saturday's win.

"I don't understand why Real will not let me coach Portugal when I will have almost nothing to do in Madrid," Mourinho said.

"I will have nine days holiday in Madrid while there are international matches."

Real's director general Jorge Valdano moved quickly to clarify the club's position.

'Huge story'

"There has not been an official request from Portugal so we have not declared our position," he said.

"It has been a huge story in the media so the president of the Portuguese federation rang (Real president) Florentino Perez, but this was to say they had dropped the idea.

"We gave this to mean the issue was over. Mourinho is put out because everyone would like to help their country and this reflects well on him, but there isn't anyone to blame at the club."

Mourinho's fellow Portuguese Ronaldo, the world's most expensive player, has endured a frustrating start to the season, being booed and whistled by home and away fans, with his anxiety to score a goal clear for all to see.

His wayward shots, exaggerated complaints to the referee and occasional wild challenge had fans at the Anoeta howling until he struck a fierce free kick which ballooned off the wall and past a stranded Claudio Bravo after 75 minutes.

"Cristiano is Cristiano, we are not going to change him," Valdano told Spanish television.

"He has a personality that enables him to be one of the best players in the world, we accept it and understand it as one of his strengths."

Argentina winger Angel Di Maria had put the visitors in front at the start of the second half only for Raul Tamudo to level soon after.

Real moved on to seven points from three games, four ahead of champions Barcelona, who travel to play early pace-setters Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

Despite dominating possession it was the hosts who created the clearer chances until Di Maria scored a great solo effort in the 51st minute, curling a shot into the top corner.

The lead only lasted 11 minutes, Tamudo arriving unmarked at the far post to bundle in a freekick and Real needed Ronaldo's strike, which deflected off Pepe's back in the wall, to restore the lead.

Real Sociedad refused to lie down and near the end an error from Sergio Ramos led to Iker Casillas having to save on his line, prompting a furious reaction from Mourinho who jumped from his seat and hurled a plastic bottle into the dugout in digust.

"They were stronger in the first half, we were in the second. I think a draw would have been the fairest result," Mourinho said.

Earlier, financially-troubled Real Mallorca recorded their first win of the campaign beating Osasuna 2-0 at home.

Gonzalo Castro set them on their way from the penalty spot after 25 minutes and Jonathan de Guzman ran the length of the pitch to secure the result in time added on.

The islanders finished fifth last season to qualify for the Europa League but were barred from entering the competition by European governing body Uefa after going into voluntary administration.

Athletic Bilbao fought back from two down to draw 2-2 at Sporting Gijon with goals from Carlos Gurpegi and Spain striker Fernando Llorente, while Espanyol overcame Almeria 1-0.